VIDEO: Derbyshire police to recruit new officers

Derbyshire Constabulary chiefs have told of their dream to make the force more representative of the communities it serves.
Could you be a police officer?Could you be a police officer?
Could you be a police officer?

They spoke as the organisation announced it will next month launch a drive to take on new full-time police officers.

No force in England and Wales has a black or minority ethnic (BME) representation which matches its local demographic, according to the Home Affairs Select Committee.

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On Friday, a police recruitment event was held in Shirebrook, which has a large population of Eastern Europeans.

Following the event, Charlotte Hurst, Derbyshire Constabulary’s recruitment specialist, said: “We want to recruit the best talent from the widest pool of people possible.

“We aim to make Derbyshire Constabulary an organisation which reflects the diversity of the communities and cultures it serves and will particularly welcome applications from candidates who are under-represented in our workplace – for example, people from BME communities and those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.”

Chief Constable Mick Creedon added: “Being a police officer is a fantastic and uniquely rewarding career.

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“It provides an opportunity to give something back and protect communities, to protect vulnerable people and to bring criminals to justice.

“Having served as a police officer for 36 years at every rank, I feel able to comment on what policing offers – and it’s also true that the job brings many challenges.

“It needs a special kind of person who can sometimes deal with being unpopular, working irregular hours and having to face confrontation and deal with grief.

“In Derbyshire there is very much a ‘policing family’ and we are now recruiting more of those dedicated individuals who want that challenging but rewarding career and who want to serve the community.

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“We are looking for a really diverse group of people who reflect the many different communities and cultures we have here in Derbyshire – and importantly people who will put the public first and deliver a high quality service, always.

“I would encourage anyone who is interested in policing as a career to consider applying when we open the doors in September.”

Hardyal Dhindsa, Derbyshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, became the first Sikh to take on the role in England and Wales when he was elected in May.

He said: “This is a good opportunity to take up the challenge from the Home Affairs Select Committee with regard to commissioners and chief constables encouraging a diverse workforce that is reflective of the local community.

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“I am hopeful that we will attract excellent candidates from all backgrounds and minority communities – I’m very keen to see the ‘gap’ in representation closed throughout the workforce and at all ranks.

“For the record, it’s worth saying Derbyshire Constabulary is a great place to work.”

Derbyshire Constabulary’s recruitment drive will open on Tuesday, September 20.

The force has released the above short film – called 24/7 – giving a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges police officers and staff face every day.

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Chief Constable Mick Creedon said: “Our new film illustrates just a bit of what we do day-to-day across the county.

“It offers a behind-the-scenes insight into our world and the many rewards and challenges.

“I also hope it shows the teamwork, the camaraderie and the sense of enjoyment found when working with a group of people sharing the same values and goals.”

For more information about joining the force, call recruitment specialist Charlotte Hurst on 0300 122 5930 or email [email protected]